Plans to invest nearly £3.5m in Portsmouth’s community and civic assets are being hailed as helping to futureproof the city against Local Government Reorganisation.
Portsmouth City Council will vote on its annual budget in February and proposals from the council’s administration are set to feature a host of investment to ensure the city is in the best possible position for the future.
Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of the council, said: “This could be one of our last budgets before Local Government Reorganisation establishes a new council covering a much larger area than Portsmouth. That council is likely to inherit a very challenging financial situation from Hampshire County Council, so we want to make sure that money is invested in things that are important to Portsmouth residents while we still can.
“Our capital budget plans are aimed at making sure we keep the things Portsmouth communities rely on and take pride in, and they are in the best possible condition as a future council may not have the money available, nor the same Portsmouth-centric focus to invest in them.”
These proposals are part of the council’s capital budget, which can be used for major one-off projects and statutory improvements. The capital funding can’t be used for funding the ongoing delivery of council services such as pressures arising from temporary accommodation and social care.
The plans include investment in cultural facilities like Cumberland House Museum and the Kings Theatre’s regeneration scheme; community facilities like the Somerstown Hub; major tourist attractions such as D-Day Story and Spinnaker Tower; enterprise centres that support hundreds of local businesses; and much-loved and cherished public areas like the Guildhall Cenotaph, Southsea Rose Gardens and playparks across the city.
The budget proposals will be considered at the council’s Cabinet meeting on 2 February and if accepted will then go to the Full Council meeting on 24 February for approval.
Investments proposed include:
- Southsea Rose Gardens – £150,000
- Play equipment replacement – £300,000
- Kings Theatre – £300,000
- Enterprise centres – £145,000
- Cumberland House – £260,000
- D-Day Story – £311,000
- Somerstown Hub – £240,000
- Guildhall Cenotaph – £88,000
- Adventure playground equipment – £12,500
- Spinnaker Tower – £1,580,000